Kournikova jubilant after mixed doubles win

Anna Kournikova repaired some dented pride on Wednesday with a crowd-rousing mixed doubles win with Jonas Bjorkman against Martina Navratilova and Todd Woodbridge at the Wimbledon Championships.

Kournikova and Bjorkman fought back from a set down to take the second round match 3-6 6-4 6-2 on court two, the site of the Russian beauty's much-publicised first round singles defeat last week.

Fans relished the all-star contest despite a late start and three lengthy rain delays.

The umpire reprimanded the boisterous crowd twice -- shouting during rallies is banned under Wimbledon rules -- but excited screams for all four players peppered the match.

Kournikova drew cheers from vocal male fans, but the crowd was also won over by Navratilova -- winner of 167 singles titles during her illustrious career.

Now 45-years-old, Navratilova made a one-off return to singles action last month at the Eastbourne International Championships, winning her first round match before losing to 19-year-old Daniela Hantuchova.

On court two, Navratilova played to the audience by lobbing her racket in the air and gesturing about the impending rain.

She bowed to her partner Woodbridge when he hit three quick net volleys in a row for a crucial first set point.

Afterwards, Navratilova joked she had become exhausted by the rain delays.

"I thought, 'one more warm-up and I'll be too tired to play'," she said, laughing. "I was on the bike out there, and doing my sprint-work. It was cold out there!"

Woodbridge missed several easy volleys in the later sets, which their opponents used to their advantage.

HEAVILY CRITICISED

Kournikova, who has never won a singles title, was heavily criticised last week for her first-round exit from the Wimbledon singles draw.

The 21 year-old was beaming as she left the court on Wednesday, though, surrounded by security guards shielding her from a pack of fans.

After the match Navratilova defended the young Russian, criticising the BBC for broadcasting an interview in which an abrupt Kournikova terminated an interview after taking offence at a line of questioning about her performance.

"Would he say that to Pete Sampras after he just lost the match? Never, ever," Navratilova said to reporters. "You don't treat men the same way as you treat women. He showed no respect to her as a person."

Kournikova had been asked if she would consider stepping down to a lower level of competition in a bid to gain confidence and wins.

The elder player said Kournikova should not be taken less seriously as a player because of her good looks, or her decision to cash in on them.

"She's a sex symbol. What's she supposed to do, say 'I don't want your money'?" Navratilova said. "There's nothing wrong with the attention she's brought to the game. She's not the one who's taking pictures of herself and putting them on page 3."